After the huge snowfalls in Europe last winter, more ski areas are going in for snow farming bandwagon. Why not save it for next season?

It was first tried out in the Alps a decade ago but the idea of "farming" snow has been slow to catch on.

Now it's a growing trend as resorts recognise the financial advantages of being able to guarantee at least some snow on the ground at the start of the winter or even in the autumn.

With several poor starts to the season in recent years and last winter's bumper snowfall, it's perhaps not surprising that more ski resorts in the Alps are investing in stockpiling snow.

The latest to give it a go is one of the big French resorts.

Snow farming in Courchevel

Courchevel, part of the world's largest ski area, Les 3 Vallees, began snow farming for the first time this spring.

The impetus is a major race scheduled for December.

Snow farming in Courchevel

Snow farming in Courchevel

"20,000 cubic metres of snow have been stored under insulation panels and a special tarp on the Emile Allais racing stadium for the next Ladies Alpine Ski World Cup in December," a statement from the resort says.

"It should remain 15,000 cubic metres at the end of November "

Snow farming in Courchevel - the tarpaulin goes on

Courchevel is unusual in using stockpiled snow for a downhill run.

Most of the resorts that have been snow farming for several years have been using the snow to create cross-country tracks or cover small areas at low altitude.

There are different techniques. While Courchevel is using insulation panels and a large tarpaulin, other areas use recycled sawdust or wood chips.